The Big Three are living in a rather different period at the moment, psychologically but also physically. While Roger Federer hung up his racket last September, as everyone knows, the other two great tennis champions of the 21st century are still active, with completely different moods from each other.
Novak Djokovic wrote history on Sunday at Roland Garros by winning his 23rd Grand Slam title and again number one in the ATP ranking. It’s history, unfortunately negative, also for Rafael Nadal after the publication of the new world rankings on Monday: in fact, the Spaniard is officially out of the top 100 after losing the 2000 points of the 2022 edition of the French Open.
An achievement never seen before. Thus a streak of 1,029 consecutive weeks was interrupted, in which the Iberian was present, according to the ranking, among the best 100 tennis players in the world.
Rafael Nadal out of the top 100, but nothing changes: here’s why
A scenario that hadn’t even occurred since 2003: since April 14, 2003, Rafa has always held his own and a certain continuity of results, despite the numerous injuries he has suffered.
But in reality, although Rafael Nadal’s exit from the top 100 is an epochal event, in fact it changes little. Indeed, if Rafa manages to play in 2024, and if he has overcome his physical problems, at the Roland Garros he will again be the big favorite, despite his position in the ATP Ranking.
It has a certain effect to see the number 136 compared to the champion Rafael Nadal. Like him, the Argentine Diego Schwartzman and the American John Isner also left the top 100. The 37-year-old Majorcan will try to recover an optimal physical condition to return to compete in the ATP circuit: his will is to allow himself at least one last year of activity, naturally taking advantage of the protected ranking to participate in tournaments.
In the coming months it will come more updates on Rafa’s form: we should have a real idea on what will happend for the next season.
